When will Michael Bisping fight again? 'The Count' wants Lyoto Machida vs Mark Munoz winner in early 2014 UFC return

Michael Bisping may have been forced out of his fight against Mark Munoz -- which was scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night 30 this weekend (Oct. 26, 2013) in Manchester, England -- but "The Count" can find solace in knowing that he still has a career in mixed martial arts (MMA).

That's because the brash Brit initially feared he would never be able to compete again inside Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Octagon -- or any other cage, for that matter -- after the retina was detached in his right eye.

But, as Bisping begins his road to recovery, he realizes that he hasn't really accomplished what he set out to do in the sport, a renewed reflection with his combat career almost cut short. And he is determined to do so upon his return.

His words (via Fox Sports):

"All I was concerned about was my career and fighting. This defines me as a person. It is what I do. I've come to a point now where I've been in the UFC for a long time but I still haven't had a title shot. I still haven't been a world champion. I still feel like I've got a lot to prove in the sport. Because I've been around a while, I'm towards the higher end of the pay scale as well. It's my career, it's my job. That's what I do. I just bought a house. I was like, 'Shit, is this where it ends?'"

And if the rest of the Middleweight roster thinks Bisping will come back hesitant and gun shy once he returns to the Octagon, think again, because "The Count" plans to come out guns blazing when he gets the green light.

The circumstance, and time off, has made him hungrier than before.

He explains:

"In some ways, this is going to be best thing to happen to me. I know it sounds like a cliche, but I had my career almost taken away, and it made me realize how much I still have left to achieve in this sport. If time was called on my career right now, I wouldn't be happy with what I achieved. Yes, I get some notoriety and put some dollars in my bank account and whatever, but I want a lot more out of it than that. I want to stabilize my future and my children's future as well. So this has really made me even hungrier than ever."

According to the Brit, his team of doctors predict he could be ready to get back into real life fighting action in around six months. And he would love nothing more than to take part in the event in UFC has penciled in for England in March 2014.

Not wanting a "tune up," Bisping says he wouldn't mind taking on the winner of this weekend's fight between Lyoto Machida and Mark Munoz at Phones 4U Arena in Manchester, England. And to hear him tell it, his comeback fight would be against "The Dragon" after he topples "Filipino Wrecking Machine" on Saturday night.

It's a fun plan, but the one that includes Nick Diaz sounds a whole lot better.